City Council Meeting Date: April 3, 2018
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Deb Little, City Clerk
Title
Consider Ordinance Establishing the Northfield Alliance For Substance Abuse Prevention (formerly known as Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use)
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers the second reading of the attached ordinance establishing the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (formerly known as Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use) as an official City Commission.
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council approved Motion M2017-018 on January 17, 2017 “to support the pursuit of Establishing the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use as an Advisory Board or Commission.” Staff worked with the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use to establish information related to creating this group as a more permanent board or commission. The Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use created a draft ordinance and bylaws. Staff has worked with Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use representatives and the City Attorney on the attached ordinance and bylaws. The Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use approved the attached ordinance and bylaws at their March 7, 2018 meeting.
During review of becoming an official City commission, the group discussed the opportunity for a name change since they would no longer be a task force. Their reason for the name change was to reflect the permanence of the group (i.e. a task force is typically a temporary entity, which disbands after completing its task). Additionally, in becoming a commission, they felt it was important to utilize the opportunity to do re-envisioning and re-branding. In the expansion of their mission and purpose, the group felt the new name better reflected where they were headed. With that being said, the group recognizes they will be known as Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, "Northfield ASAP (formerly Mayor's Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use)" for a while in the transition.
The Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use has been in effect since 2006. As noted in the January 17, 2017 documentation, Mayor Pownell and City Administrator Martig are suggesting that this group be formally created as an advisory commission of the City. The belief is that these groups are more permanent in nature and that it would be more appropriate to establish as a formal commission if they are going to continue on an ongoing basis.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
No increased expenses are anticipated with the change from a task force to a formal commission. Staffing support is currently a part of the youth investment contract with HCI. In addition, there is $12,500 budgeted for expenses of the commission. These funds were approved in the 2018 budget.
Tentative Timelines:
Anticipated timeline:
• March 20, 2018 - 1st reading of ordinance
• April 3, 2018 - 2nd reading of ordinance
• April 11, 2018 - publication of ordinance summary
• April - May - appointment/reappointment of members
• May 11, 2018 - effective date of ordinance